Update, 9:15 a.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for much of southern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. The advisory will take effect late Wednesday afternoon as a cold front blows through.
The front is expected to change rain into light snow. Forecasters say Boise could see between a dusting and three inches by the time the system moves out early Christmas morning. The Boise Mountains could get up to eight inches of new snow.
Strong winds will likely lead to blowing snow. Those traveling late Wednesday are being asked to use caution. Mountain areas are expected to be especially treacherous.
Original post: Snow is making its way to southern Idaho just in time for Christmas.
The National Weather Service in Boise predicts less than half-an-inch of snow will blanket the Boise valley by Christmas morning.
Meteorologist Korri Anderson says the latest storm system will begin as rain Wednesday afternoon, then turn to snow as a cold front sweeps through the region Wednesday night. Anderson expects the snow to fall between 6-12 p.m.
The forecast snowfall could make southern Idaho’s roads slick late Christmas eve, and into Thursday morning.
"Highway 95 will become snow-covered north of Boise, as well as to McCall," Anderson says. "And then 84, southeast of here (Boise) to Twin Falls, could be pretty bad."
Anderson says valley snow showers will stop Christmas day, and be isolated to the mountains. The next chance for snow won't be until Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Anderson says any holiday travelers heading east of the Rockies could be affected by flight delays and dicey road conditions with a storm system gearing up in that part of the country.
The Associated Press reports that snow is expected from Missouri to Michigan. "Three inches of snow could fall in Chicago, where O'Hare International Airport expects more than 3 million holiday travelers," the AP reports.